dr colin cunninghamECO-INNOVATION CONSULTANCY

About Me

I'm an award winning environmental scientist and innovation specialist. I led centres of excellence in the Scottish Universities of Edinburgh and then Strathclyde (Glasgow) for nearly 20 years but not in a 'traditional' academic role. My focus has always been on applied science and innovation, working closely with industry. I'm the author of >50 scientific papers, conference proceedings, book chapters etc.

In 2006 I created and directed the Scottish Environmental Technology Network (SETN) that grew to support a membership of over 250 companies though provision of technical expertise, grants for innovation, internships and access to specialist laboratory facilities/analytical expertise. I've developed technology, gone through patenting and licensing, been in start-ups and experienced first hand how challenging it can be. My work in areas such as contaminated land, water and wastewater treatment, waste management and recycling has taken me around the world particularly to Russia where I have been collaborating with groups in the city of Perm since 1999.

​Since January 2016 I've been an independent eco-innovation consultant for a wide range of clients, large and small. ​ The area I work in is often called the low carbon or circular economy. I like eco-innovation as it's the introduction of any new or significantly improved product (good or service), process, organisational change or marketing solution that reduces the use of natural resources (including materials, energy, water and land) and decreases the release of harmful substances across the whole life-cycle.

​I'm based in Edinburgh, Scotland and this site tells you a little about me and the work that I do. When I'm not working I'll be found walking in the hills or fly fishing for trout.

Qualifications

Professional Memberships

FRSA, Fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA)CBiol, Chartered BiologistCEnv, Chartered Environmentalist MIEnvSc, Member of the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES)MSB, Member of the Society of Biology